Ralph O. “Beetle” Bailey, 89, of Excelsior Springs, MO, passed away peacefully, at home on August 30, 2023.
Ralph was born May 6, 1934 in Kirksville, MO, to Manford and Birdie (Brown) Bailey. He grew up in Atlanta, MO. In 1952 he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. After two years in the U.S. Army, serving in Okinawa, Japan, alongside his identical twin brother, Ivan. He returned to the railroad, retiring in 1997 with 45 years of service.
His favorite hobby was model railroading … a railroader through and through. He also enjoyed and took pride in building things, especially birdhouses.
Ralph was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ivan Bailey; sisters, Zandy Edwards and Margaret Simler; two infant grandchildren, Andrew and Rebecca Bailey; and infant great-grandson, Rhoan Bailey.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Glenna (Jones) Bailey, of the home; son, Michael O. (Karen) of Kansas City, MO.; grandsons, Bradley O. (Erica), of Kansas City, MO, Daniel P. (Mariah) of Fulton, MO, and David C. of Gladstone, MO; great-grandchildren, Dean, Emelia, Bear and Honey; and brother, Jamie Bailey (Rena), Huntsville, MO.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Mount Tabor Cemetery in Atlanta, MO.
Donations in memory of Mr. Bailey may be made to Excelsior Springs Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
My sincerest condolences to Shirley, Mike and Karen and family. He will be greatly missed. I remember he would always ask Shirley if I was bringing him chocolate when I came to visit!
He will be missed.
A mass will be read in his honor September 25th at St. Ambrose church in Minnesota!
My love and prayers to you all!
Cindy Barnes
Sorry for your loss, we loved Ralph very much.
Donna and Gary Cooper
Shirley, Michael, Karen and family,
We are extremely sad to hear about the loss of Ralph. He will be missed as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. At this time of grief we will lift your family up in prayer for the peace and comfort only Christ can give.
Vickie & Jim Hampton
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Ralph. Ralph and Glenna were such good friends to my parents. I have such fond memories of times with the Baileys.
David & Phil Schwabauer
Shirley, Mike, Karen and family,
We loved him. We loved it that he loved us. He was a great supporter of Paul and the UTU. He was a great Democrat and a wonderful friend. Ralph was a friend to all. He was a family man and was so proud of “those grandsons and great-grandchildren.” Above all, we all knew Ralph loved Shirley. He had a good life on this Good Earth and he will be missed by all.
Fly High Friend, Paul and Roberta Thompson
Your sincere and heartfelt sympathy to all. Prayers for comfort and peace.
John and Lisa Bastob
Sorry for your loss. I’ll miss visiting sports with Ralph very much. He was a kind and gentle man.
Ed and Delores Bush
Glenna and family,
Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. We love Ralph and know that he is with our Lord.
He was a great and kind man. Thank you for the friendship we share with you Glenna and Ralph. We are here for you Glenna and family. Please know how much we love you.
Dan and Teresa Yelton
Glenna….
I’m so sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. I’m thinking Ralph took his last train ride up to heaven and he has lots of family and friends to see. I ask my sister, Barbara to make sure his arrival was smooth and I’m pretty sure they are having a cocktail and catching up. They will be there waiting for our arrival whenever God’s done with us. Love you Glenna. So sorry.
Jerrie Johnson-McNelly
I know Ralph & Jay are talking basketball and Cardinal Baseball. They have a lot of Atlanta boys up there already waiting for him. I went to High School with Ralph and he was a very nice Person then. Shirley, please know you can call me any time. I know there will be a void in your family.
Nancy Ford
